Serena Williams: “20 years ago, many products weren’t made for Black skin…I had to do my makeup so I could present myself the best way”

On Wednesday (April 3), Serena Williams debuted her own makeup line, ‘Wyn Beauty’. The collection offers a wide variety of beauty products specifically designed for women with melanin-rich skin, something that Williams believed was necessary for a long time.

During an interview with skincare magazine Byrdie, the 23-time Major winner reflected on the evolution of cosmetics and shared her personal encounters with the leading makeup brands of the 21st century.

“Back then, brands [made us feel like] we had to fit their standard of beauty,”Serena Williams told Byrdie. “When I was traveling 20 years ago, brands didn’t offer 40 shades. Many products weren’t made for Black skin. We had brands like Iman Cosmetics and Black Opal, but they weren’t always available where I was. I had to learn to do my makeup so I could present myself in the best way.”

Additionally, Serena Williams was highly proud of the fact that WYN Beauty’s products were derived from plants.

“I wanted to focus on long-wearing, ‘clean’ formulas because that’s how I live my life. I have a farm and try to eat ‘clean,’ so I also apply that approach to what I put on my face,”she said.

Serena Williams on Embracing Individuality: “I Refuse to Be Boxed In”

Additionally, Serena Williams emphasized not just WYN Beauty’s budget-friendly prices, but also its practicality for women in their daily lives.

“It’s not about [the celebrity title] for me,”Williams said. “This brand is for everyone — it doesn’t matter who you are. We’ve drawn from my experiences and everyday life to reach everyone and fit their needs.”

“For me, it’s about creating a collection that speaks to me, whether I’m on the tennis court or picking my daughter up from school. A little goes a long way with what we’ve created with WYN Beauty,”she added. “If I wake up late, I can quickly put on our skin tint, concealer, and lip and cheek tint and look fully made up all day. WYN Beauty wants you to understand you can be glamorous and active—and own it.”

The 42-year-old, known for her efforts in breaking gender barriers, expressed her desire to expand her influence to include beauty products.

“I never wanted to fit into a box. I don’t look like anyone else and never will. I was one of the first athletes [in tennis] that had a differently shaped body,”she said. “I felt I’ve pioneered in so many different ways, so I wanted to include beauty in that.”

Ever since her third-round defeat to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, Serena Williams has retired from professional tennis. However, she has not slowed down and has been enjoying her time by juggling her family life, making public appearances, and managing her business ventures.